Presenter-only conferences?

[futureapppsy2]

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I just had a poster presentation accepted at a conference that only allows presenters to attend the conference and requires that all presenters (first authors on posters and symposium presenters) agree to attend the entire conference. This is the first time I've seen this, and it seems like an interesting set up to me--the goal seems to be to deliberately create a very small, interactive conference.

Has anyone else seen this approach before?

(The conference is legit and seems rather selective, so it's definitely not an academic spam "conference" or anything of that nature).

 

[Pragma]

No I haven't but I have been at smaller conferences where having everyone stay would be nice. Sucks to get scheduled last when a lot of people leave early. However, as a conference-goer I wouldn't like being restricted. I always try to take some free time to explore the locale so having to be there the entire time would bother me - I probably wouldn't go.

 

[WisNeuro]

Yeah, I generally only do about 25% actual conference stuff, unless I am interviewing applicants at INS. Otherwise I treat it like a mini-vacation that sometimes gets authorized absence that doesn't burn my leave time.

 

[futureapppsy2]

No I haven't but I have been at smaller conferences where having everyone stay would be nice. Sucks to get scheduled last when a lot of people leave early. However, as a conference-goer I wouldn't like being restricted. I always try to take some free time to explore the locale so having to be there the entire time would bother me - I probably wouldn't go.

Well, looking at the schedule, they build in 3-4 hour blocks of "socialization and networking time" each day, plus the evening hours, so there still seems to be time to hang out in the local area. They don't seem to be holding anyone captive. 😉

And I agree--having an end of conference presentation timeslot can make you wonder why you ever bothered presenting, even at large conferences!

 

[Justanothergrad]

Yeah, I generally only do about 25% actual conference stuff, unless I am interviewing applicants at INS. Otherwise I treat it like a mini-vacation that sometimes gets authorized absence that doesn't burn my leave time.

Agreed. I'm yet to be to a conference that I'm truly interested in being at for more than 25% of the material. The other I can see as related and important if I shift my interests/focus, but I'm not so... that's time better spent exploring local cuisine.

It is an interesting approach that makes the end of conference time slot not a total bummer to get to present in.

 

[Pragma]

Yeah, I generally only do about 25% actual conference stuff, unless I am interviewing applicants at INS. Otherwise I treat it like a mini-vacation that sometimes gets authorized absence that doesn't burn my leave time.

Agreed. I'm yet to be to a conference that I'm truly interested in being at for more than 25% of the material. The other I can see as related and important if I shift my interests/focus, but I'm not so... that's time better spent exploring local cuisine.

It is an interesting approach that makes the end of conference time slot not a total bummer to get to present in.

Yeah I'd say 25% is about accurate for me too, especially for big ones like APA and INS. I have done more like 50% for smaller conferences. Plus things like social hours are usually good to be at. Sometimes when I go I have other things I have to do, like write grants or grade papers, so I'll work on those. But like Wis noted, it is a good way to treat it like a mini-vacation of sorts. I'd rather leave a great morning session and grab some good local grub and sightsee for the afternoon if I have the day off presenting. I mean, every year I choose which ones I go to and location is one of the top factors in making my decision.

 

[futureapppsy2]

Actually, I'm more interested in the "only presenters can attend" aspect. If you're automatically limiting your attendance pool to circa 150 people, asking everyone to attend both days makes much more sense than something like APA, where it's just massive and broad, or even a division conference.